By Rishabh Giri
Most schools still focus more on following rules than asking questions. The system was designed to create efficient workers, not independent thinkers. Until that changes, critical thinking will remain under-taught, even though it’s what every generation needs most. The goal of education shouldn’t just be performance; it should be perspective.
The First “Why”
Children begin learning reasoning the moment they ask “why?” That’s where critical thinking starts. It doesn’t need to be complicated or academic. It’s simply helping them see cause and effect, like understanding why sharing feels good, or why stories have lessons. These small explanations teach logic wrapped in empathy.
Beyond Memorization
Real thinking doesn’t come from repeating information. It comes from comparing, questioning, and reflecting. When students are asked to find two truths in a story, they practice reasoning more effectively than by memorizing ten definitions. Education should be about discovery, not just delivery.
Thinking at Home
Parents can nurture this at home by involving kids in small decisions. Ask them what they think before giving answers. Let them explain their choices. It shows that thinking is a process — not about being right, but about exploring perspectives. Children who feel their reasoning is valued learn confidence in their own minds.
More Than Facts
In a world of AI and misinformation, children will need judgment and emotional understanding more than just data. Machines can store and process facts faster than any human. But wisdom — knowing when and how to use that information — will always remain a human skill. We need to teach discernment, not just delivery.
Real Lessons
A teacher I know once asked her students to debate whether homework should be banned. The purpose wasn’t to win or lose the argument; it was to help them give reasons, listen actively, and change their minds when necessary. That’s what real education looks like, not obedience, but openness.
Rethinking Schools
If I could redesign schools, I’d create thinking labs, just like science or math labs, spaces where students can discuss real issues, analyze media, and talk about moral choices. A place to test ideas safely. Because before we teach children what to think, we should teach them how to think.